The Mets are currently facing some challenges with their pitching lineup, which isn’t in a state to receive immediate reinforcements.
Sean Mania is set to pitch in his final rehab game on Tuesday, positioning him for a return to the mound on July 13 in Kansas City, just before the All-Star break.
Kodai Senga is expected to start his rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton this weekend, and according to coach Carlos Mendoza, “he may play for us before the break.”
In the coming week and a half, the Mets could potentially add two pitchers who might have significant promise.
But, until then?
David Stearns, the Mets’ president of baseball operations, mentioned that “all options are on the table,” discussing whether they might need more time or consider a bullpen day, call up additional starters from the minors, or seek help externally.
“We appreciate everything. We’ll get through it,” he added confidently.
As they wrap up their series against the Brewers at Citi Field, they have a lot to sort out, particularly due to the injury of yet another player.
Paul Blackburn has now been placed on the injured list after an incident that caused a right shoulder issue. He is expected to be sidelined for 3-5 days before reassessment.
Although Blackburn didn’t perform effectively in six games, he faced challenges after dealing with a lengthy rain delay in Pittsburgh.
Currently, the Mets are wrestling with injuries to multiple pitchers: Manaair (hamstring issues), Blackburn (shoulder), Griffin Canning (Achilles), and Tyler Megill (elbow). The only certain starters left are David Peterson, who pitched Thursday, Clay Holmes, and Frankie Montas, scheduled for Sunday.
Looking ahead to the Yankees series, the lineup features Justin Hagenman on Thursday, Montas on Saturday, and Brandon Waddell who threw three relief innings on Wednesday will start on Sunday.
This plan might not be the most thrilling for fans eager to see the top prospects from the minors—the anticipation is there for Nolan McLean, Brandon Sprout, and Jonah Ton.
Stearns expressed, “My preference is not to develop top prospects for a spot start,” highlighting the uniqueness of the current situation but stressing that he’d rather manage without calling someone up if possible.
Ton, with a stellar 1.73 ERA from 14 starts, is impressive, but he’s also a bit further out since he’s from Double-A Binghamton. McLean has been dominant in Binghamton and performed well in Syracuse but won’t be available this weekend after pitching on Thursday.
Sprout, once deemed a top-ranked Mets pitcher, is also slated for a start on the weekend but has recently struggled, achieving a 5.43 ERA in his initial 16 starts at Syracuse.
On Saturday, a promising young pitcher showcased his potential by hitting six shutouts over six innings in two outings.
Stearns noted a shift in his approach, saying, “he’s getting into offensive mode and not striving for perfection with every pitch. He’s realizing he’s quite good… We hope to see that mindset moving forward.”
This suggests the Mets are looking for more reassurance before making a promotion decision.
As they navigate these pitching issues without significant prospects stepping in, the Mets are under pressure as the trade deadline looms. They must evaluate their options, particularly as injuries and performance remain concerns across their pitching staff.
“When you deal with these kinds of challenges related to injuries and performance, it’s crucial to assess the entire pitching roster and understand the underlying causes,” he commented.
